Jack Kevorkian also known as Dr. Death, plans to run for U.S. Congress

Jack Kevorkian also known as Dr. Death for his role in, what he claims to be over 130 assisted suicides, and who was released from prison after serving 8 out of his 10-to-25-year prison sentence, has announced plans to run for U.S. Congress.

Between 1999 and 2007, Jack Kevorkian was in prison after being found guilty of second-degree murder, he served the minimum sentence of 8 years out of what could have been a 10 to 25 year prison sentence and was released on parole due to good behavior on June 1, 2007.

His second degree murder sentence was for the death of one man, Thomas Youk, a 52-year-old man with Lou Gehrig's disease, although Kevorkian claims to have helped at least 130 people in ther "right to die" with assisted suicide.

Reports today say that he plans to run for the Congressional 9th District seat now held by Republican Joe Knollenberg.

Kevorkian states, "We need some honesty and sincerity instead of corrupt government in Washington."

Kevorkian plans on running as an Independent and is in the process of gathering a minimum of 3,000 signatures to be able to have his name appear on November's ballot.

Dave Gorcyca, the Oakland County Prosecutor with the office that prosecuted Kevorkian told reporters, referring to his plans to run for Congress, "It's probably more of a publicity stunt. To call attention to himself is standard protocol for Jack when he doesn't have the limelight focused on him. I would not consider his candidacy to be a legitimate one."

(Feb. 6: 1991: Physician assisted-suicide advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian poses with his 'suicide machine' in Michigan.)
What led to Kevorkian's conviction after many failed attempts to try and convict him prior to the Thomas Youk case, was a 60 Minutes broadcast, on November 23, 1998, where Kevorkian allowed the airing of a videotape he had made on September 17, 1998, which showed the voluntary euthanasia of Thomas Youk, 52, an adult male with full decisional capacity who was in the final stages of ALS.

After Youk provided his consent, Kevorkian administered the lethal injection himself and then dared authorities on this tape to try to convict him or stop him from carrying out assisted suicides.

They did and he was convicted of second degree murder for the death of Thomas Youk, which led to Kevorkian's 8 years in prison.

Kevorkian plans on speaking more about his candidacy for the U.S. Congress sometime next week.

[Update] More AP articles on this, here and here.
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